Dishing out daily (or almost daily) Broadway musical news and gossip. The companion site to The Broadway Musical Home (broadwaymusicalhome.com), a directory of Broadway musicals with the story, songs, merchandise, video clips, lyrics, tickets, rights & awards for almost 200 shows.

David Bologna leaves Billy Elliot

David Bologna, whose performance as Michael earned him a nomination for a Tony Award in Billy Elliot the Musical, plays his final performance on Sept. 27.

Laura Michelle Kelly and Christian Borle join the cast Mary Poppins

Laura Michelle Kelly, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on the West End, and Christian Borle (Legally Blonde, Spamalot, Footloose) will join the cast of Broadway’s Mary Poppins on Oct. 12 as Mary and Bert.

Two new Nalas and two new Simbas for The Lion King

Alphonso Romera Jones II and Marquis Kofi Rodriguez will be stepping into the role of Young Simba, and Shereen Pimentel and Shannon Skye Tavarez into that of Young Nala in Broadway’s The Lion King during the next couple performances.

It’s common for actors to drop out and rotate around as new things start up, but there’s an awful lot of moving around right now. Below is a consolidation of where Broadway is now “stealing” its talent from:

Stolen from other Broadway shows

Actors Savannah Wise and Wesley Taylor are leaving Rock of Ages on September 13 to start preparing for Ragtime and The Addams Family respectively. It’s not all bad though, as Kerry Butler and Tom Lenk will step in to play their first performances in the production on September 18.

Stolen from the West End

Broadway is also borrowing from the West End. Laura Michelle Kelly, who won a 2005 Olivier Award for her title role in Mary Poppins will be crossing the Atlantic to play Mary on Broadway starting on Oct 12.

Stolen from the Silver Screen

Big screen star Antonio Banderas, who stars in the upcoming movie version of Nine, claims he will star in Trevor Nunn’s upcoming production of Zorba, though no official information has been released about the show.

Stolen by a touring show

But one actor, 14-year-old Tommy Batchelor, one of the rotating Billys in Billy Elliot, will be actually leaving the Broadway production on Dec 11 to join the touring version of the show. The tour opens in Chicago on March 18. His Broadway replacement has not yet been announced. Who knows where they’ll steal him from?!